Green Bay Bullfrogs Program 2017 Program - Page 16

Chasing the Dream

For many young ball players, the dream of making it to the Bigs ends at the high school ranks. But, if you have enough grit and skill you can continue your career at a four-year university. However, those aren’t the only options.

Players have the ability to attend junior colleges, where they can work on their craft, get bigger, stronger, and mentally tough. If they manage to accomplish those feats they can then open their recruitment back up and try to continue their dream and make it to the next level.

For three Bullfrogs this is exactly the case. Nick Ohanian spent this past season at Mesa Community College and will spend next season at Grand Canyon University of the Western Athletic Conference. Alex Lee spent his early college years with Wabash Valley College and once his summer is over he will be joining Eastern Illinois University of the Ohio Valley Conference. Alex Pener who just finished up his time with Scottsdale Community College will be headed to Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference after he finishes the season with the Bullfrogs.

Alex Pener was confident he would be able to make it to that next level “I knew my high school career was too small of a sample for me to decide on a four year. Many people told me to accept my only offer out of high school which was a D2 offer in Kansas City (Alex’s Hometown) and I knew I had more potential than that. So I walked on at a JUCO with bigger plans. Although I hadn’t always shown it, I knew I had the physical ability to play at a Division-I school and going to a JUCO really helped me focus on baseball and get stronger physically and most importantly mentally.”

It’s not a solo mission on the way to the top, Pener gives credit to those who helped him along his journey to the next level. “I would have to give a lot of credit to my long time hitting coach in Kansas City and my brother.